THE company behind a controversial discount electrical shop is being investigated by trading standards departments across the country, The Northern Echo can reveal.

The unnamed bargain shop, in Northgate, Darlington, was yesterday confirmed to have ceased trading - but trading standards officers said the investigation into the company would continue.

Complaints have been registered at locations across the country, all of which have now been referred to West Yorkshire Trading Standards, which is heading the inquiry. It is understood the people behind the company are based in that area.

The store, which traded in Darlington for three weeks, claimed to offer deals including men's shavers for £3 and a games console, camera and camcorder package for £60.

However, The Northern Echo collected evidence involving the Mock Auctions Act 1961, which protects customers from illegal trading.

Police and trading standards officers visited the store, and gave out leaflets to queuing customers advising them not to go in.

Darlington Trading Standards yesterday said it had received 12 complaints from customers who felt they had not received what they paid for.

Keith Atkinson, assistant director of public protection at Darlington Borough Council, said the company operated "just within the law", which frustrated calls for it to be closed down.

"I don't think anyone in Darlington can remember anything similar, where a shop traded for only a number of days," he said.

"There seems to have been a number of people who were not happy with their purchases, and we were able to advise them on their rights.

"We are working with other trading standards departments, particularly the West Yorkshire authority. They are collecting information and looking at complaints made against this particular firm. We are aware of complaints from around the country.

"They will then decide whether there is a case. If they feel there is, they can apply for a court injunction which would ban the company from trading anywhere."

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Trading Standards said: "We are aware of the company in question, and we have a number of complaints that we are currently looking at."